Shloka 7
Gadāyuddhe Kṛṣṇopadeśaḥ (Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel in the Mace-Duel) — Śalya-parva 57
इस प्रकार चलते हुए उस अत्यन्त भयंकर घमासान युद्धमें लड़ते-लड़ते वे दोनों शत्रुदमन वीर बहुत थक गये ।। तौ मुहूर्त समाश्वस्य पुनरेव परंतपौ । सम्प्रहारयतां चित्रे सम्प्रगृह्म गदे शुभे,फिर उन दोनोंने दो घड़ीतक विश्राम किया। इसके बाद शत्रुओंको संताप देनेवाले वे दोनों योद्धा फिर विचित्र एवं सुन्दर गदाएँ हाथमें लेकर एक-दूसरेपर प्रहार करने लगे
sañjaya uvāca | tau muhūrtaṃ samāśvasya punar eva parantapau | samprahārayatāṃ citre sampṛgṛhya gade śubhe ||
Sañjaya said: After pausing for a moment to regain their breath, those two tormentors of foes once again took up their splendid, variegated maces and resumed striking at one another. Even amid the ferocity of the duel, the brief respite underscores the human limits of warriors and the relentless resolve that drives them back into combat.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined endurance in kṣatriya combat: even the fiercest warriors must pause to recover, yet they return to their duty with unwavering resolve. It implicitly points to human limitation balanced by steadfast commitment to one’s role in a larger, fated conflict.
Sañjaya describes two opposing champions in a mace-fight. After a brief rest to catch their breath, they grasp their ornate maces again and resume exchanging blows, continuing the intense duel.